Cooper eyes club road to return
IF Quade Cooper has a plan to reboot his career in Japan or Europe, he’s keeping it private because he has committed to a club pathway back to a Wallabies jersey.
It may be more of a tightrope with Reds coach Brad Thorn having moved on with Jono Lance and Hamish Stewart at No. 10, yet Cooper is always the resilient believer.
Cooper yesterday gave no inkling he’d be moving anywhere when he rocked up as Souths captain to give the Premier Rugby club season launch its biggest bang in memory.
The 70- Test fly half has been on the outer at the Reds for four months since Thorn politely told him he would not be required at training because the team was taking a new direction.
That call would have cut the loyal 119- game Reds stalwart far more deeply than he has ever revealed.
Everything he said yesterday was mature, reasoned and respectful without an Olympiclevel dummy spit in sight when he spoke at length on his situation for the first time.
The first thing to note is that Cooper has been dropped by three Wallabies coaches, his Toulon coach in France and as a young Reds player with a mullet, so he has a thick skin.
“It’s not the first time something like this has happened to me,” Cooper said.
“Being able to go back to club, like the pathway, I don’t think you should be shocked.”
Cooper is delighted the Reds are winning again as they approach a tough clash against the Stormers in Cape Town early on Sunday morning.
“I’m still part of the team, I’ve played 120- odd games and I love that they are doing well,” Cooper said.
When asked if the Reds had told him what he had to do to be considered again, Cooper said it was “commonsense” that club footy performances count – as they should for any player.
“There definitely is a pathway. If you want to represent your country or do those sort of things, you’ve got to get down and play club football,” Cooper said.
“I’m enjoying the situation, it’s a great opportunity to bring a lot of light to the club I first played with at 13, teach a little and play some good footy.”
Pursuing a Japanese or European future was not his knee- jerk reaction when first sidelined, Cooper said.